Philippine Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes and his Malaysian counterpart Najib Tun Razak today downplayed tensions between the two countries over accusations of ill-treatment of Filipino deportees.

Reyes, who arrived late yesterday with aides of President Gloria Arroyo and military officers, said his visit was to reaffirm good relations between the neighbours.

"There is this issue of the deportees, and so we felt that this is as good as any time to visit," he told reporters after holding talks with Najib.

Reyes, who is the highest ranking official to visit Malaysia since the deportees' issue blew up last month, said both countries had maintained good relations and welcomed the move by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad to call for a full investigation into the allegations.

"This (visit) is part of a practise of meeting each other.

"It is a further strengthening of the channels existing between both countries," he said.

Earlier, in a joint release, the ministers said both governments wished to reaffirm "close and warm relationships as portrayed by the excellent rapport" between Mahathir and Arroyo.

"Malaysia and the Philippines would like to see that the issue (of deportation of Filipinos) should not be sensationalised to the extent that it would jeapordise the existing good relationship between both countries."

Protest notes

The Philippines had sent two protest notes to Kuala Lumpur complaining that some of the thousands of Filipino deportees had been abused and ill-treated at holding centres in Malaysia's Sabah state.

Arroyo also complained in a letter to Mahathir that a migrant girl had been raped, reportedly by a Malaysian policeman at a detention centre.

Mahathir pledged swift action on the case and ordered a moratorium on the deportations which were part of Malaysia's crackdown against illegals who can be caned and jailed under new tough punishments.

The joint statement today also stated both governments' commitment to continue cooperation in pursuing the fight against terrorism, both in their individual countries and in the region.

"Malaysia and the Philippines are committed to assist each other in the attainment of peace, security and development in the southern Philippines and border areas," it said. AFP